What happened
A LoyaltyLobby writer issued a Turkish Airlines business-class award from Tallinn to Dubai via Istanbul for 42,000 Avianca LifeMiles plus about $50 in fees on May 10. The ticket covers mid-July travel after an early-summer trip. The miles came from a balance the writer struggles to redeem, leaving 79,000 LifeMiles.
KrisFlyer returned no results for Tallinn. United MileagePlus steered toward Lufthansa Group rather than Turkish. ANA Mileage Club's mileage cost looked workable until 43,000 yen in surcharges, more than $270. Aeroplan priced the same city pair at 40,000 miles.
LifeMiles award space is typically scarce, the writer says. Changing or cancelling the ticket costs about $150 to $200. Book this routing on LifeMiles only if those change fees will not matter.
- Numbers
- 42K miles: LifeMiles cost of the Turkish Airlines business award
- $50: taxes and fees on the LifeMiles award
- $150 to $200: LifeMiles cancellation or modification fees
- 43K yen JPY: ANA award surcharges for the same routing
- $270: dollar equivalent of the ANA surcharges
- 40K miles: Aeroplan mileage requirement for the city pair
- 79K miles: writer’s remaining LifeMiles after the redemption
- Where
- Tallinn, Istanbul, Dubai
- Takeaway
- Check Avianca LifeMiles for Turkish partner space, but only book if you are unlikely to change or cancel.